Weather News

Tropical Cyclone Narelle moves towards northwest WA coast

Severe Tropical Cyclone (TC) Narelle is the second TC that has formed in the Indian Ocean (and third overall) so far this cyclone season, the other being TC Mitchell in late December.

TC Narelle is currently classed as a category 3 system with very destructive winds up to 165km/h near its centre. TC Narelle is presently tracking in a SW direction parallel to the northwestern WA coast north of Dampier and is unlikely to make landfall. TC Narelle is expected to increase in severity over the next 24 hours and become a category 4 system during this afternoon with winds gusting to 200km/h.

Narelle is closing in on the Northwest Cape and far west Pilbara coast and is likely to bring heavy rain, thunderstorms and strong winds to coastal areas and the risk of flash flooding. Up to 50mm is possible as Narelle moves closer to the coast.

Rough to very rough seas are expected as Narelle moves closer to the coast while seas should reach up until 4 metres until Narelle weakens and moves south.

Keep an eye on current weather warnings particularly for the western Pilbara and western Gascoyne districts.